MAGIC MOMENTS

Digital dazzler

At the spectacular opening ceremony of the Asian Games on Sept 23, a digital torchbearer played a role in igniting the cauldron for the first time ever at a major international sporting gala. Renowned as China's tech hub, Hangzhou emphasized the "smart" theme of the Games by involving millions in a digital torch relay.

During the opening ceremony, a digitally animated figure, symbolizing these torchbearers, traversed the iconic Qiantang River, before lighting the wave-shaped cauldron alongside Chinese Olympic swimming champion Wang Shun.

Stirring tribute

"Did you see? I've done it," Chinese sprinter Ge Manqi said tearfully after claiming the women's 100m title at the Hangzhou Asian Games. She dedicated the medal to her late coach Liu Zhaoxu.

Ge had been coached by Liu since she was 13, describing him as a father figure that has accompanied her through ups and downs. Liu died last November following an illness, and 25-year-old Ge made good on her promise to win Asiad gold in his honor.

Another of Liu's charges, Lin Yuwei, was crowned champion in the women's 100m hurdles and also paid tribute to him after winning. The song played at the stadium following the competition, Brightest Star In The Night Sky, seemed to articulate Ge and Liu's feelings, especially the line: "Whenever I get lost in the darkness of night, you light for me the road ahead."

Evergreen Oksana

"Legend" is a word that is perhaps too readily used in sports, but Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekistan can definitely count herself worthy of the term. The 48-year-old has won eight Asian Games medals, including two golds. As far back as 1992, she represented the Unified Team of the former Soviet Union at the Olympics to grab the women's team gold medal.

In 2002, when Chusovitina's son was diagnosed with leukemia, she acquired German citizenship in order to be able to compete at global championships for a higher income to fund his medical treatment. Now that her son has recovered, Chusovitina is continuing her gymnastics journey purely out of love for the sport.

Although she narrowly missed out on a medal in Hangzhou in the vault, she was greeted by thunderous applause from spectators. Now she has her sights set on the 2024 Paris Olympics. "I'm just doing what I love, so why should I stop?" she said.

Underdogs keep trying

Afghanistan's rugby sevens team was undoubtedly outclassed at the Asiad, with the scoreboard soaring to a daunting 52-0 deficit in just 16 minutes in one match. However, for the team, who finished 12th in the event, merely stepping onto the Asiad pitch was a victory in itself considering the country's troubled recent history.

The Afghan team was assembled from players who hail from a diverse range of professions — from construction workers to drivers — with many based in different countries. Without official sponsorship, they self-funded their trip to Hangzhou, arriving just five days before their first match.

"Afghanistan has been through a lot of hardship over the past 40 to 50 years," said team captain Omar Slaimankhel. "Hopefully we can keep making (the Afghan people) proud."

Tears for a rival

Chinese swimming star Zhang Yufei had every reason to smile at the Hangzhou Asiad, after clinching six gold medals. But she shed tears when 23-year-old Rikako Ikee took the bronze medal in the women's 50m butterfly.

Japan's Ikee had dazzled the world by grabbing six gold medals at Jakarta 2018, before a devastating leukemia diagnosis threatened to end her promising career. However, the brave Japanese star embarked on a courageous battle against the illness and made a triumphant return to the pool.

At the world championships earlier this year, Zhang showed Ikee the words she wrote on her palm: "Be the best of yourself." And after seeing her friend going for glory again in the pool, a tearful Zhang ran over to embrace her with heartfelt congratulations.

Dash to history

On the evening of Sept 30, Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium erupted in tumultuous applause and cheers, as Chinese sprinters Xie Zhenye and Ge Manqi romped to gold in the men's and women's 100m, respectively.

The victories marked the first time in Asian Games history that athletes from one country had won both 100m titles. The host nation also triumphed in both the men's and women's 4x100 relay finals.

The victories extended China's recent progress in the 100m. Lao Yi topped the podium in the men's race at the 2010 Guangzhou Asiad and Su Bingtian, the Asian record holder, was crowned men's champion at the 2018 Jakarta Games.

"Our next goal is the Paris Olympics," said the ambitious Xie.

Xinhua